During your first year on campus, you will take several general math and science courses as prerequisites for your intended department. You also will take one of several introductory engineering courses, a freshman composition course, and an additional social science or humanities elective. You will receive more information and advice about these requirements at Student Orientation, Advising and Registration (SOAR).

How large is a typical engineering class?

Lectures for first-year student generally include 300-350 students. Large lecture courses include discussion sections with 20-25 students. Once you are admitted to a particular engineering department, class sizes will become much smaller, on average 35-90 students. Generally those classes are proportional to the department size.

Where do first-year students typically live? Which locations are closest to campus?

There is no residence hall specifically for engineering students, though there is a Women in Science and Engineering floor that rotates dormitories year to year and a number of other special interest housing options are available. Lakeshore dorms are physically closer to the College of Engineering campus, though every dorm on campus is home to some engineering students. Visit University Housing for more information about the campus housing options available. First-year students are not required to live in campus housing.

What type of laptop computer should I purchase?

There is no formal recommendation from the College of Engineering for particular laptops. Visit the Division of Information Technology (DoIT) for a student guide to computing on campus or visit Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) for their guide on computers.

How do I apply to the College of Engineering at UW-Madison?

When you apply to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, be sure to check the box on the application that asks if you want to be an engineering student. You can designate an intended major or remain undecided in engineering. When you are admitted to UW-Madison, you will be classified as an EGR student, meaning you are a general engineering student. You will be assigned to an advisor through the Engineering General Resources Office (EGR), who will guide you through the process of meeting the requirements to apply to an engineering degree-granting program, which typically happens at the end of your first year. Once admitted to a department, you'll be assigned a faculty advisor from that department.

How do I apply to a degree-granting program in the College of Engineering?

Research opportunities are among the greatest advantages in attending UW-Madison. Professors often hire undergraduate students to participate in research projects, so be sure to check with professors in your area of interest. Lab positions are sometimes listed on the UW-Madison Student Jobcenter.

Are internships and co-ops available?

An internship means working for an engineering company during your summer break. Internships are available as early as the summer after your first year. A co-op position means taking a semester off of school plus a summer to work for an engineering company. Co-ops are available once you are in your engineering degree-granting program. A co-op generally lasts eight months, while internships last an average of three months. In engineering, both internships and co-ops are paid positions. Engineering Career Services hosts a career fair, called Career Connection, at the beginning of each semester to help students meet hundreds of employers seeking engineers for a variety of positions.

How long will it take to graduate?

Most students typically graduate in nine or 10 semesters. Co-op semesters and pursuing extra course work, such as certificates or double majors, often contribute to this average.

Is there a foreign language requirement for the College of Engineering?

For first-year students, the College of Engineering offers the Freshman Achievement Award, a one-year merit scholarship that ranges from $1,000 to $3,000. You can apply to the scholarship by visiting your MyUW account and clicking the Finances tab.